U.S.-JAPAN PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GROUP ANNOUNCES ITS PROPOSAL
FOR AN U.S.-JAPANESE COOPERATIVE EFFORT
NEW YORK, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S.-Japan Project Development Group has announced its proposal for an U.S.-Japanese cooperative effort to build a high speed ground transportation system in the United States. The group has sent its proposal to the Japanese ambassador to the United States, the Honorable Ryohei Murata. Additionally, the group is planning to submit the proposal to the White House and related department officials.
The group consists of 23 Japanese corporations located in New York, including the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Ltd. (the Chair), Sumitomo Metal USA Corporation, Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc., Toyota Motor Corporate Services of North America, Inc., Toshiba America, Inc. and the Fuji Bank, Ltd. The objective of the group is to conduct research to promote specific projects as well as general creative cooperation between the United States and Japan.
Since its founding as a volunteer research group in April 1990, the group has been researching high speed ground transportation systems, including the MAGLEV (magnetic levitation) transportation system. In addition, the group has made a US$250,000 contribution for the feasibility study of a Maglev project in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The proposal was prepared based on the premise that it would be necessary to establish bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Japanese governments in the promotion of such projects. The group believes that this could be a symbol of cooperation between the United States and Japan.
In this proposal, the group is strongly suggesting that the U.S. and Japanese governments enter into an agreement such as a "Promotion Agreement for U.S.-Japan High Speed Ground Transportation Joint Development."
Additionally, a subdivision of the above agreement would form the framework through which the project parties involved could promote such projects with substantial technical and financial cooperation from the public and private sectors of both countries.
The group's activity and the proposal represent a major step in the enhancement of the relationship between the United States and Japan. This high level of private sector volunteer activity is meant to form the basis of further public and private sector volunteer activity is meant to form the basis of further public and private sector cooperation which will continue into the next century.
The following is a support letter from U.S. Senator Harris Wofford of Pennsylvania to Takashi Uehara of the U.S.-Japan Project Development Group:
I write to express my support for the work of the U.S.-Japan Project Development Group on Pittsburgh high speed ground systems. As Senator Specter and I said in the Senate Resolution we introduced on June 28, 1991:
The Senate anticipates significant future demand for high speed rail and magnetic levitation transportation systems in this country, as well as real opportunities for international joint ventures in the development of these systems. The Senate encourages continuing positive commercial relations between the United States and Japan, and requests the president to work with the Japanese government to secure international investment in this area.
High speed rail and transportation systems are of tremendous potential importance to southwestern Pennsylvania and the entire country. As the U.S.-Japan Project Development Group proceeds with this project, you have my encouragement, thanks and support.
The following is a support letter from U.S. Senator Andrew T. Greenberg of Pennsylvania to Takashi Uehara of the U.S.-Japan Project Development Group:
I am writing to express the support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the work of the U.S. - Japan Project Development Group relating to the development of a high-speed rail system in western Pennsylvania.
Transportation infrastructure is a crucial element in the development of new economic opportunities. As our economy continues to globalize, the efficient movement of people becomes increasingly important to business. High-speed ground transportation would offer long-term economic possibilities in that region and a superb test case outside the boundaries of the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania will be on the cutting edge of transportation technology from both a transportation and economic development perspective if this project is successfully implemented. We are interested in working closely with you and others interested in the introduction of high-speed rail to our state.
The following is a support letter from U.S. Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania to Takashi Uehara of the U.S.-Japan Project Development Group:
It gives me great pleasure to extend my congratulations to the U.S.- Japan Project Development Group for your excellent work on the Pittsburgh Maglev Project.
I have been a longtime advocate of efforts to vitalize our mass transit system. Earlier this year, Senator Wofford and I introduced a Joint Resolution in the Senate to encourage international participation in new technologies for high-speed rail and magnetic levitation transportation systems. I am hopeful that this resolution will encourage investment in the development of these important and far- reaching systems.
The U.S.-Japan Development Group has my continued support for its work on the Pittsburgh Maglev Project, which I hope will make a significant contribution to economic development in Pennsylvania.
My best.
-0- 12/18/91
/CONTACT: Rikuichi Yoshisue of the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Ltd., 212-335-4502/ CO: U.S.-Japan Project Development Group ST: IN: FIN SU: SM-OS -- NY040 -- 3631 12/18/91 18:01 EST

COPYRIGHT 1991 PR Newswire Association LLC
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.